Facebook 'Like' Doesn't Equal Speech

While public employees are allowed to speak as citizens on matters of public concern, U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson ruled that clicking Facebook's “like” button did not amount to expressive speech. In other words, it’s not the same as actually writing out a message and posting it on the site. The meaning of the word "like" in this context played a part in this Virginia case involving six people who say Sheriff B.J. Roberts fired them for supporting an opponent in his 2009 re-election bid, which he won. The workers who had "liked" the sheriff's opponent, sued, saying their First Amendment rights were violated. Jackson dismissed the workers' claims, granting summary judgment to Roberts. The First Amendment Center has this AP story